400 Watt Metal Halide Grow light – Tips for Choosing a Grow Light
The first consideration in choosing a grow light is how much area you need to light. An effective indoor garden lamp will only cover a certain amount of space below with enough light to make a difference to the plants. If you have a large area to cover, you will need more than one fixture. Some grow lamps can cover more space with a single bulb. For example, a 400 watt metal halide grow light can effectively cover from 16 to 36 square foot depending on how high you hang it. Realize that young plants need a light hanging about 2 to 4 inches above the leaves. As the plants grow, you will need to raise the light.
The second consideration is what type of fixture would work best. You can find a number of fixtures for growing plants. Fluorescent, metal halide and high pressure sodium are only three of the options. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Fluorescent must be a full spectrum bulb to be effective for growing plants. Nevertheless, it runs at lower temperatures than many other types. However, a 400 watt metal halide grow light offers a truer light that will work with more types of plants.
Another consideration is what type of reflector you want to buy. A reflector helps to focus the light downward towards the plants. This helps cover a larger area below with a full spectrum of light. Your choice of reflector will depend heavily on your choice of light bulb. You will find reflectors specially shaped to go around a fluorescent tube and those ready to go with compact bulb fixtures. Your main decision is how large the reflector surface is. If you are running a hot 400 watt metal halide grow light, you may need a reflector that has a built in cooling option.
Finally, how are you going to regulate your indoor grow lamp? You may think you will always remember to turn your specific unit on and off. However, human nature doesn't always support that. Using a timer to turn your light on and off is a great way to regulate the light. That is one less thing to worry about. You can find timers built especially for these types of fixtures. You set an on time and an off time for your 400 watt metal halide grow light. This gives the plants a regular amount of light and the required dark time for optimal plant growth.
The second consideration is what type of fixture would work best. You can find a number of fixtures for growing plants. Fluorescent, metal halide and high pressure sodium are only three of the options. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Fluorescent must be a full spectrum bulb to be effective for growing plants. Nevertheless, it runs at lower temperatures than many other types. However, a 400 watt metal halide grow light offers a truer light that will work with more types of plants.
Another consideration is what type of reflector you want to buy. A reflector helps to focus the light downward towards the plants. This helps cover a larger area below with a full spectrum of light. Your choice of reflector will depend heavily on your choice of light bulb. You will find reflectors specially shaped to go around a fluorescent tube and those ready to go with compact bulb fixtures. Your main decision is how large the reflector surface is. If you are running a hot 400 watt metal halide grow light, you may need a reflector that has a built in cooling option.
Finally, how are you going to regulate your indoor grow lamp? You may think you will always remember to turn your specific unit on and off. However, human nature doesn't always support that. Using a timer to turn your light on and off is a great way to regulate the light. That is one less thing to worry about. You can find timers built especially for these types of fixtures. You set an on time and an off time for your 400 watt metal halide grow light. This gives the plants a regular amount of light and the required dark time for optimal plant growth.
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